Anderson County Genealogy
- Formed 1826
- Parent district Pendleton District
- County seat Anderson
- Neighbors Abbeville, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens
In-depth topics
Anderson County was formed in 1826 (Pendleton District). The county seat is Anderson. Neighboring counties include Abbeville, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens.
Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).
Anderson was created in 1826 from the old Pendleton District. It was named for a Revolutionary War soldier, Robert Anderson. The area was originally settled by the Cherokee until a 1777 treaty ceded to the colonists. The area of the Pendleton District was also known as Washington District for a period of time, before the district was split to form Anderson and Pickens Counties in 1826. Pendleton is the oldest town in the county, founded in 1790. The town of Anderson Courthouse was established close to the center when the county was created. Cotton and textiles have been major products of the area through the years. Anderson was noted as the first city in the south to have a continuous supply of electricity. Power was supplied by a water mill in the Rocky River. That is attributed to the ingenuity of William Whitner. The first electric cotton gin was built in Anderson in 1897.
Anderson County is home to the Anderson County Museum.
Anderson County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 5743
Anderson, SC 29623
Anderson Chapter South Carolina Genealogical Society
PO Box 74
Anderson, SC 29622
Anderson County Courthouse
P.O. Box 8002
County Courthouse
Anderson, SC 29622
Census
- 1790 Federal Census images and transcription for the entire state
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription - Pendleton District
- 1800 Federal Census Index - Pendleton District
- 1810 Federal Census Index - Pendleton District
- 1820 Federal Census Index - Pendleton District Surnames starting with FIE-Y
- 1830 Federal Census Index
- 1840 Federal Census Index
- 1850 Federal Census Index - Last names only
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries in Anderson County
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- Rootsweb's Anderson County, SC "Book of the Dead" This is a nice compilation of all the names currently transcribed from all the cemeteries that have been canvased in Anderson Co., SC. Nice compiled reference.
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Anderson County:
- Anderson (County Seat)
- Belton
- Centerville
- Clemson
- Homeland Park
- Honea Path
- Iva
- La France
- Northlake
- Pelzer
- Pendleton
- Piedmont
- Powderville
- Sandy Springs
- Starr
- Townville
- West Pelzer
- Williamston
History notes
Anderson County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Anderson County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.
Vital records
South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Anderson County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.
Cemeteries
Cemetery surveys for Anderson County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.
Courthouse & contacts
Anderson County Courthouse
Anderson, South Carolina
https://www.andersoncountysc.org/